Wire-stretcher.



No. 807,881. PATBNTED DEC. 12, 1905. W. A. STBERE.

WIRE STRETOHER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.23, 1905.

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} UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.

WARREN A. STEERE, OF HARFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,661

' of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Wire Stretchers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in fence-tools adapted particularly for use in fence building.

The main object of theinvention is the production of a tool designed for stretching the fence-wires and which may conveniently grip the wire and be readily released therefrom after the stretching operation. The tool carries certain other adjuncts essential in fence building.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein V Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved tool, and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan.

Referring to the drawings, the improved tool comprises a handle member 1, shaped at the outer end to receive an ordinary hatchethead 2, the rear end of the handle being reduced to receive a tapered drill-bar 3, sharpened at its free end, as at 4, for servicein drilling post-holes. The handle member 1 about midway of its length is reduced in width to provide a reduced portion 5, and this part 5 serves to receive the wire-clamp. The shoulder 6, formed at the forward end of the portion 5, is preferably protected by a metal plate 7, secured thereagainst, or, if referred, the whole upper surface of the too -handle may be protected by an integral metal-plate coextensive in length and width with said handle.

8 represents the gripping-lever, which is pivotal y mounted at 9 1n the reduced portion of the handle, the rear or handle portion 10 of the gripping member being in an offset plane from the rest of the lever for convenience in operation. The forward or operating end of the lever is arranged contiguous to the square shoulder 6 and is rounded or of arcuate shape, as at 11. The gripping-face 11 is arranged immediately adjacent the shoulder 6 to rovide for the gripping of the wire or the li e between said face 11 and the plate 7, covering the shoulder.

The handle 1 projects slightly beyond the hatchet-head 2 and is there provided with hooks 12 and 13, the'shanks 14 of which are preferably inserted in the handle member, as shown. The hooks are preferably in offset planes, one below the other, for convenience of insertion, and their free ends 15 are sharpened and normally project in a plane beyond the surface of the eye member of the hatchet, so that said hooks may engage an object against which the hatchet-head is placed.

In operation, assuming the parts to be constructed and arranged as. described, the hatchet-head is placed against the fence-post so that one of the hooks 1 5 will engage the edge of slaid post and prevent lateral slipping of the too uponits pivot 9 to remove the gripping-face 1 1 from its normal position adjacent the shoulder 6, and the wire to be stretched is placed in the reduced portion 5 in contact with the plate 7, covering the shoulder 6. The gripping-lever is now returned to normal position to clamp the wire between the plate 7 and gripping-face 11, after which the tool is used as a lever fulorumed on the hatchethead and against the post to stretch the wire, as desired. The drill-bar 3 is particularly adapted for drilling post-holes and also efficient as a means for extending the handle 1 when extreme leverage is desired.

The tool is simple in construction and efficient and durable in use, and I contemplate such mechanical changes as will be readily apparent from the above description.

Having thus described the inventi0n,what I claim as new is A wire fence tool comprising a handle member, means carried thereby for gripping the wire and hooks secured at one end of the handle member to engage a post or the like, said hooks being duplicates and inserted in vertical alinement in the end of the handle member, the hook-terminals projecting in reverse directions.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WARREN A. STEERE.

Witnesses:

E. G. FOOTE, W. N. BARNES.

The gripping-lever 8 is then turned 

